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Cheap Video Surveillance
1/26/2008 04:36:00 PM
This last summer we installed several IP based cameras. The D-Link DCS-5300 and DCS-6620 to be specific. Both of which have the option of being mounted inside of an external enclosure for those outdoor camera locations. We also purchased the DWL-P50 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Adapter to extend our pre-existing PoE network to these cameras. These cameras do not nativity have any PoE compatibility; however, with the DWL-P50 placed between your switch and a short distance from the camera you can power the cameras with no extra cabling required.
Both of these cameras have a Pan/Tilt/Zoom(PTZ) ability with 270 degrees of pan and 90 degrees of tilt range. We have found this to be ample range for a camera mounted on a wall. If you are mounting a camera from the ceiling, you would need to find a 90 degree range that the camera won't be able to see (most likely a wall). Where these cameras start to differ is their zoom capability. The 5300 only has digital zoom which is very poor and useless to expect anything out of. However, the 6620 has a 10x optical zoom lens in addition to an auto focus.
The D-Link web site specifications get a little hazy in this area; however, we have 2 practical choices for resolutions. You can either go for 30 frames per seconds at a small 352x240 or lower the frame rate to 10 fps and receive quality of 704x480. This is probably the biggest area that I have found these cameras to be lacking. It would be nice to at least get 30 fps at 704x480; however, you get what you pay for.
These cameras have multiple ways of accessing or recording video content. Each camera has a built in server that allows for up to 10 concurrent users with separate user accounts (no integration with other databases or even other cameras). With this built in server, you can view the video through a web based client (only works in Internet Explorer as it uses ActiveX) or through two different applications that come supplied with the camera. I got the feeling that D-Link has 2 teams creating software for the same goal here. Both applications will do recording based on motion as well as continues or event driven recording. We have finally set on using the "IP Surveillance" applications for both our clients and our server. The software is only designed to be used on clients, so because of this every user accesses the cameras directly rather than through a server.
I gave you three screen shots to look at one of the views that is offered by the IP Surveillance software. You have the ability to click and drag to move the video feeds to a different location. There is also the ability to click where you want the camera to rotate to, as well as an option to have preset camera locations.
The view can be adjusted to 6 options: Single Camera, 4 Camera, 6 Camera (shown below), 9 Camera (where we mainly operate), 13 Cameras, and finally 16 Camera.
All 3 screen-shots below are using the same cameras. You can see the type of image produced with interior shots (first), midday door shots (second), and midnight shots (third).
The bottom left camera shown is the 6620, in dark it will switch into black and white night vision mode. All of the other cameras shown are the 5300.
What we like about having Cameras
Number 1 thing that we love is the ability to know where people are at all times. Not in a stalker sort of way, but the ability to know that guests are arriving for mid-week events and are having a hard time finding the right location. This allows us to serve others better.
And of course, we can now look back at video feeds when ever a criminal event takes place.
Things I would have done differently if the money permitted
Higher quality cameras - There are similar IP based cameras that allow for full 30 fps VGA streaming as well as some that go even higher.
Use all 6620 Cameras - The 6620 is a very nice camera for when needed to zoom and see at night.
Use a different Video Server App - There are many applications out there that can use the D-Link line of cameras in addition to many other types. Many of them include true server features such as redistributing to client computers or some even stream all feeds concurrently over a web interface.
Final Notes
I have covered much of what I learned through this process; however, I realize you may have a special circumstance that you have a question about or I might have left something off completely. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I will give you as much help as I can.
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